Anfernee Simons, Adem Bona partial at Sixers practice again; Dominick Barlow without timeline

Anfernee Simons and Adem Bona were partial participants in Philadelphia 76ers practice for the second straight day Tuesday, while Dominick Barlow remains out with no timeline for a return, Noah Levick of NBC10 Philadelphia reported.

Bona is working through a left foot sprain and Simons a hamstring issue. Coach Nick Nurse said both “did a good majority of stuff in the half court,” and he hopes they can play in Friday’s preseason finale against the Boston Celtics. “I hope so,” Nurse said. “I don’t know where that hope line is, but there’s certainly some hope.”

Barlow, dealing with back soreness, did not practice. “There is no timeline,” Nurse said. “Just hoping it gets a little better, he feels a little better and he can get back out there fairly shortly.”

Partial practice is not a confirmed return

Nurse’s hope for Friday is not clearance. Simons has yet to make his preseason debut with Philadelphia, and the absences of Bona and Barlow have added to the Sixers’ shorthanded state at center after Ariel Hukporti’s right Achilles tendon tear. Jabari Walker and Dean Wade have handled backup center minutes in the preseason.

The Sixers open the regular season Tuesday, October 20, against the New York Knicks. Nurse indicated rookie Labaron Philon Jr. could open the season in the rotation if Simons is not ready.